Benfica midfielder Bryan Cristante is being linked with numerous European clubs in the Portuguese media, including Arsenal.

Cristante is currently on loan at Atalanta, who reportedly have a €4m (£3.5m) buying option, which they would have to activate by the summer. However, Arsenal are still being linked with the 23-year-old midfielder.

BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 04: Bryan Cristante of Atalanta BC in action during the serie A match between Atalanta BC and AC Chievo Verona at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on February 4, 2018 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

According to A Bola (via Sport Witness), Atalanta are yet to trigger this clause and will wait until the summer. Whereas O Jogo claim the Serie A side already have.

What’s more, the Portuguese outlet report that Benfica get 15% of the transfer fee.

Atalanta apparently want to sign Cristante and then sell him on for €30m (or €35m – £31m according to O Jogo) to another top club.

A Bola say that Liverpool, West Ham and Watford are also keen on the Italy international, whereas O Jogo only mention Arsenal.

Cristante has been a Benfica player since 2014 but has spent the last two years out on loan at Palermo, Pescara and now Atalanta, where he’s now made 47 appearances in total, scored 13 goals and provided four assists.

The 23-year-old is a central midfielder, so while I’m not convinced that Arsenal actually want him, the link isn’t that outlandish. The club do need a Santi Cazorla replacement, after all… And possibly one for Jack Wilshere as well.